Golf club



Oct. 29, 1935. w, u c sofl 2,018,723

GOLF CLUB Filed Jan. 28, 1931 cute the stroke.

Patented Oct. 29, 1935 UETE STES GOLF CLUB Application January 28, 1931, Serial No. 511,734

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a golf club, and more in particular to a novel shaft, and means for attaching said shaft to the club head.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel shaft construction for a golf club, the shaft being substantially triangular, provided with a cutting edge or leading apex, and a trailing plane surface at the rear thereof. In prior constructions of golf clubs, and particularly where metal shafts are employed, the average golfer has considerable difficulty in controlling his stroke, caused primarily by the fact that the club head is raised or taken back too rapidly on the upstroke. This too rapid backswing causes the golfer to shift or change his stance, raise his head, take his eye off the ball or lose control of the club, with the result that he hooks, slices or dubs his shot, or otherwise fails to properly exe- It further prevents the average golfer from securing the proper rhythm in his swing, which necessarily means his shots are poorly executed, his total score mounts or remains relatively high, and he frequently quits the game in disgust.

By means of the present construction of shaft, more wind resisting surface area is exposed on the upstroke or back swing, the air resistance on the rear surface'of the shaft preventing, or tending to prevent a too rapid back swing.

= A further object of the invention is the provi- J- sion of a shaft having a flat, or substantially fiat =rear-surface extending for substantially the full 7 length of the shaft, said flat or plane surface providing means for increasing the air resistance against the rear surface of the shaft on the upstroke or back swing.

A still further object is to provide a shaft having a plane or flat rear surface, and the front thereof tapered or stream-lined in order to decrease or minimize the air resistance on the down- -portance to the average golfer, as byproperly aligning the rear fiat face, or the edges of the rear face, or the shaft; i. e. positioning this rear face perpendicular to the hole or intended flight of the call, it is possible to secure greater accuracy to the drive. Although the drawing discloses the novel shaft as attached to a driver or wood club, it is to be understood that the same is equally adapted to iron club heads, the only distinction being that in iron clubs, the flat or substantially flat face of the shaft is positioned parallel to the lower edge of the iron club head, and

not parallel to the face thereof. 5

A further object of the invention is the provisionof a club head provided with an opening of the same configuration as the shaft of the club and adapted to receive the end thereof. The opening and shaft being substantially triangular 10 in shape, such shaft and opening provides an efficient interlocking means to prevent twisting of the shaft in the club head. Another object is to provide a metal shaft substantially triangular in shape whereby to provide a more efficient con- .15 struction.

Another object is the pro-vision of the shank or hose of an iron club with an opening of a configuration to receive a shaft of substantially triangular shape, the outer contour of the shank or hosegg being also substantially triangular in shape, such shank or hose providing aligning means for the club head.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shaft which is substantially triangular in .25 shape, certain or all of the sides thereof being slightly dished or concaved.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly, and alignment, and such fur-so ther objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear, and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts il-: lustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while there is shown therein a pref-erred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, 40 features and constructions, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of onev form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but disclosing an alternate construction.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but disclosing a further alternate construction.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation Q of the handle and shaft construction.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section through the club head and disclosing the interconnection between the shaft and club head.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional v1ew55 taken in a plane represented by the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views taken in planes represented by the lines 1---'! and 88, respectively, of Fig. 1.

Figs. 9 and 10 are cross sectional views taken in planes represented by the lines 9-9 and Ill-l0, respectively, of Fig. 2.

Figs. 11 and 12 are cross sectional views taken in planes represented by the lines ll|| and l2i2, respectively, of Fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through the shaft and shank or hose of an iron club, disclosing another embodiment of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, and more especially to the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention in Fig. 1, the construction comprises a golf club provided with a handle I, shaft 2, and club head 3. As disclosed, the handle and shaft are made integral, although the same may be made separate and connected or combined in any suitable manner.

The shaft 2, disclosed more particularly in Figs. 7 and 8 comprises a structure of triangular shape having a leading or front edge 4 and side surfaces 5 and 6, along with a trailing or rear surface I. The trailing plane surface 1 at the rear'of the shaft provides more air resisting surface area on the upstroke or back swing of the shaft, than is possible with the usual curved surfaces of the cylindrical or elliptical shaft now in use. The rear side of trailing surface 1 prevents, or tends to prevent a too rapid back swing, thus eliminating to a marked degree, the difiiculties of the average golfer in controlling-his stroke, caused primarily by the club head being raised too rapidly on the up-stroke.

The apexor leading edge 4 and the sides 5 and 6 provide a tapered or stream lined structure whichdecreases the air resistance on the down-stroke of the club head and shaft. The configuration and arrangement of the shaft relative to the shape of the club headalso tends to lessen the possibilities of the club head twisting in the hands for the reason that after the golfer becomes accustomed to the use of this form of shaft, he will be readily apprised of the shifting or twisting of the shaft and club head by reason of the difference in air resistance encountered.

When the club is swung properly the flat surface on the rear portion of the shaft will resist the 'airon the upswing and when improperly useda rear'edge of the shaft'will cut the air on the upstroke permitting too fast a back swing.

would pass through the air with the minimum of resistance and when improperly held a flat surface would oifer considerably more air resistance. Thus there would be a difference in the feel of the club.

In Figs. 2, 9 and 10, there isdisclosed an alternate or modified form of shaft 8 in which the apex 9 is formed by the merging of the concaved sides In and II. This structure provides a further stream lining of the golf shaft. In Figs. 3, 11 and 12, there is disclosed a further alternate or modified construction in which the trailing surface l2, as well as the sides I0 and II V are concaved.

opening M of a configuration adapted to receive the ends of the shafts 2, 8 and I3. When the ends of the shafts are in the position shown in Fig. 5, there is no possibility of the shaft turning in the club head, and thus an efficient in- 5 terconnecting means is provided. Any suitable means such as a pin (not shown), glue, or the like, may be provided forzret'aining the shaft and preventing the same from being withdrawn from the club head. Although Fig. 6 merely dis- 10 closes a shaft of the form disclosed in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, inserted in a club head, it is to be undervstood that the club head may be provided with openings of aconfiguration to conformably receive the ends of the shafts 8 and B, as disclosed 15 in Figs. 2 and 3.

The present construction of shafts provides an eificient aligning means for properly aligning the club head with the ball. Regardless whether the club head is constructed of wood or metal, 20 or of any of the various forms used in playing the game of golf, therear surface! of thesform of shafts disclosed in Figs. 1 iand2, isdisposed parallel to the lower edge of the face. of.the{club head, so that when the golferv alignstheface 11,25 or more particularly the edges ofthefa'ce 'Lahe can feel assured that his club headiszprioperly alignedwiththe ball; i. e.'the.. face [org-edges thereof, and the face l5tofcthecclub:headds disposed perpendicular to theinten'ded linehofgc flight of the ball. Although the 'face.-:l2.-of.;.the

shaft l3-disclosed in Fig. 3, ofthe ,drawing'.:..is

concaved. nevertheless, the same aligning-Jeature is present in thisconstruction.

In Fig. 13 is disclosed an embodiment in-zwhicha'r, an iron club I6 is provided with alhoseflor. shank I! provided with an opening-adapted to.- receive an end of a substantially triangularshapedshaft 2, the outer contour ofthe hose .or shank-J1 beingof the same or substantially.-the.sameeonfiguration as theshaft; .i. e. provided .with=.za

leading edge facing the intended :.-line Ofs. flight of the 7 ball to decrease air resistance. on thegdown stroke, and a trailing surface :perpendicular-.to the intended line of fiight,..and providing; in- 45 creased wind resistance on.;the .upstroke.-.=s.aid

trailing surface and leadingedge providingmdditional aligning .means whenmused. with-lithe present constructionof shaft, or-.-the, ;prirna.ry or sole-aligningmeans wheretheordinamfjcurved 50 shaft-ofthe-prior constructions,.ieither of .wood or iron,.is employed. This. aligning. featuremnd structure is applicable to anytypetoftirongclub, including the putter.

When-addressing the tball and -.starting;:;the:r'55 back swing, the flat or substantiallyrzfiatcrear surface of the shaft, provides .an.aligiiingf:feature permitting the. golfer .to returnicthegclub head onthe initialpart of the..:.upstroke,:l.in alignment with and in the. sameverticaliplanemo as the ball and intended line of flight .th'ereof. A variance in 'the pathof theuzclubhead'ifrom this vertical plane, either inside or outside: thereof, at the beginning of. the back swing',-p-prevents proper execution of thestroke. .35

In view of the abovedescriptionsand'itheedi closure in the drawing, it will bezreadilys-seen that the invention comprehends a'..unique1 construction of shaft or shafts for any..type. .of ;.golf club, from the driver to the putter, inthaslat- -m ter the triangular or substantially triangular shaped shaft providing an efiicieht aligning means for lining up the ball with' theiicupior hole. Although the disclosure more -iparticularly refers to a metal shaft construction,itiis 'u to be understood that this is but one embodiment of the invention, since wood or other material may be employed in this form of shaft.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. In a golf club construction, a shaft of approximately triangular cross section with one corner so positioned as to provide a leading front edge of minimum air resistance for the down stroke of the club, the other corners being connected to a portion positioned to provide a substantially flat air resistance area disposed transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the club during the up-stroke thereof.

2. In a golf club construction, a shaft having a flat rear surface extending the full length thereof, and of a width substantially equal to the maximum width of the shaft, said surface being so positioned as to provide an air resistance area transversely disposed to the direction of movement of the club during the upstroke thereof.

3. In a golf club construction, a shaft of approximately triangular cross section, two of the corners thereof being connected by a wall positioned to provide an air resistance area transversely disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the club during the upward stroke thereof, said area being of a width approximately equal to the maximum width of said shaft.

4. In a golf club construction, a club head and a shaft attached to said head, said shaft having a substantially fiat surface of a width approximately equal to the mximum width of the shaft, and disposed in a plane parallel to an edge of the face of the club head, said surface being so positioned as to be the leading edge of the shaft on the back swing of the club.

5. In a golf club construction, a club head having a triangular opening therein, one wall of said opening lying parallel to an edge of the face of the club head and a shaft fitted in said opening and of corresponding cross section, one face of said shaft providing a substantially flat air resistance area transversely disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the club 5 during the up-stroke thereof, said area being of a width substantially equal to the maximum width of said shaft.

6. In a golf club construction, a shaft provided with a concaved rear surface extending the 10 full length of the shaft and of a widthapproximately equal to the maximum width of the shaft, said surface being transversely disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the club during the up-stroke thereof and constructed 5 and arranged to provide an air resistance area during said movement.

7. In a golf club construction, a shaft of approximately triangular cross section with one corner so positioned as to provide a leading edge 20 of minimum air resistance for the down stroke of the club, the sides of the triangle having concaved walls, the rear wall connecting the other corners being transversely disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the club during 25 the up-stroke thereof and constructed and arranged to provide an air resistance area during such movement.

8. A golf club of the character described comprising a club head having a hosel provided 30 with an opening of triangular cross section, a tapered shaft of similar triangular cross section projected into said opening, one of the surfaces of said shaft being disposed in a plane parallel to an edge of the face of the club head, said sur- 35 face being of a width approximately equal to the maximum width of the club and so positioned as to provide an air resistance area during said up-stroke.

WILLIAM HUTCHISON. 40 

